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4th Grade Sun, Moon, and Earth Vocabulary List Critically Important – State Assessable Earth The third planet from the Sun and the fifth largest planet in the solar system. It is the only planet definitely known to support life. Sun The extremely hot gaseous star at the center of the Solar System which is the source of heat and light to the Earth. The planets and comets of the Solar System are held in orbit around the Sun due to the pull of the Sun's gravity. Moons Objects that stay in orbit around planets. Star A hot ball of glowing gases that shines by its own light, and is visible at night. Earth's nearest star is the Sun. Reflect To return heat, light, or an image off an object. Orbit The curved, slightly oval path that objects in space follow when they are in the gravity of another body. The Moon and artificial satellites orbit the Earth, the Earth orbits our Sun and so on. Day A day is the time needed for the Earth to make one complete turn on its axis. This takes 24 hours to complete. For example, Mexico will return to the same spot facing the Sun 24 hours after the Earth starts its turn each day. Night When the Sun is down (absent from the visible sky). The half of the Earth that is currently facing away from the Sun is experiencing night. Cycle Revolving or recurring after a set amount of time. The seasons form a cyclical pattern. Spring always comes after Winter, and we only get one Spring each year. Seasons One of the four periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), beginning at an equinox or solstice. Year The time it takes for a planet to move around, or orbit, a sun. It takes Earth about 365 days to orbit the Sun. Capable Able Rotation In astronomy, when a planet spins once on its axis, it has made one rotation. Produce light To be able to make a type of energy that travels through space at high speed in waves, and can be seen by the human eye. Revolution In astronomy when a planet has made one orbit around its sun, it has completed one revolution. The time this takes is called a year for that planet. It is 365 days for Earth. Earth’s axis The Earth's axis is a line that passes though the Earth's center and through both Poles (North and South). The Earth rotates completely around this axis once each day. Visible shape The overall outline of a figure or object that can be seen. Ability to support life Supplies the basic needs of living organisms. Breathable atmosphere The mixture of gases that surround a planet. To be breathable it must be composed primarily of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%) and other gases (1%). Phases of the moon The measure of how much of the illuminated surface of the Moon can be seen from Earth. The phases are: First quarter, waxing crescent, new Moon, waning crescent, last quarter, waning gibbous, full Moon, waxing gibbous. Natural satellite An object that occurs or exists that is not made by people that orbits around another object. Relative distance How far apart two objects are in comparison to other objects. Predictable cycle Events or motions that recur during a set amount of time. Apparent movement The act, process, or result of moving that we can see or detect. Instructionally Useful Planet A large body of rock or gas that travels in orbit around the Sun. Compare To examine in order to discover likenesses or differences. Contrast To examine in order to discover likenesses or differences. Solar system The Sun and all the objects rotating around it that are affected by gravity. Sun’s position Location of the sun in relation to other objects in our Solar System. (At the center of the Solar System) Approximately Close but not exact Seasonal change Moving to a different one of the four periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), caused by the change in the intensity of solar radiation received by different parts of Earth. Relative position Placement of objects in relationship to other objects Edited 3/10